THE forecast is bleak for thousands of rugby fans trying to get to Dublin to see the Wales team take on Ireland this weekend.

THE forecast is bleak for thousands of rugby fans trying to get to Dublin to see the Wales team take on Ireland in the opening Six Nations clash this weekend.

Severe gale warnings have been issued on the Irish Sea by London's Met Office and the storms look set to continue until Saturday at least.

Ferries have been cancelled and flights are being delayed as fans face an anxious wait to see if they will make it across the Irish Sea for Sunday's game.

An Irish Ferries spokesman said the firm cancelled yesterday's 5.45pm and today's 7.15am crossings from Pembroke to Rosslare.

He added: "The weather situation is quite appalling. Due to the conditions we are offering people alternative journeys between Holyhead and Dublin. We are doing everything we can to accommodate people."

He said Irish Ferries is planning to take 5,000 fans over to Ireland and about 1,300 would be diverted to Holyhead from Pembroke.

Both the company's high-speed Seacats have been taken out of service.

The Ulysses took hundreds of travellers through nine-metre waves today at 3.30am and is expected to leave Holyhead again at 3.45pm.

The spokesman added: "We hope to get people to the match on time."

Jon Horne, managing director of Cardiff International Airport, said: "Two aircraft have been delayed because of very strong crosswinds in Dublin."

Hundreds of Bridgend rugby fans were among those making their way to Ireland ahead of Wales' first Six Nations game.

Coaches carrying supporters from Bridgend county, organised by Swansea-based Global Sports Travel, decided to travel to Holyhead in a bid to make an afternoon crossing.

Three coaches organised by Pontypridd-based Shamrock Travel, carrying passengers from Bridgend and the Glamorgan and Rhondda Valleys, have already made it to Ireland, having travelled from Holyhead yesterday.

But earlier today three other coaches of fans were waiting to hear if they could expect to travel by ferry from Holyhead.

Mike King, of Shamrock Travel, based in Newport, said: "We just have to grin and bear it, there is nothing we can do about it."

Bridgend Athletic secretary Roy Huntley said: "About 20 of us are going, flying from Cardiff either to Dublin or to Belfast, then driving down.

"Maybe the odd couple were planning to go by ferry but most are flying."